The B.Sc.(Nutrition) program involves a unique structure and a partnership with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, Saskatoon Health Region and other health regions and Tribal Councils in the province. Previously, University of Saskatchewan students interested in becoming dietitians completed the four-year degree in Nutrition and then competed in a national competition to obtain a one-year dietetic internship. Students now take a pre-Nutrition year and then apply to the four-year program. All of the required professional experiences are included within the nutrition degree, and all graduates, on successful completion of a national exam, qualify for professional dietetics registration. The program is accredited by Dietitians of Canada (DC), the national association for dietitians and nutritionists, and meets DC education guidelines.

The professional experiences are provided primarily through the Professional Practice courses (NUTR 230.3, NUTR 330.3, NUTR 430.3 and NUTR 531.30. NUTR 531.30 (fourth year of the program) is a 36-week* practice-based experience (Internship) and students have their home base with the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region or Saskatoon Health Region.

*This 36 week period includes a two-week break half-way through the practice-based experience.

Qualification for registration as a professional dietitian includes the following components: a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition or related area and specific undergraduate courses, professional experiences and a national examination. For students at the University of Saskatchewan the professional experiences are included within the degree.

On successful completion of the national examination, graduates are eligible for professional registration through their provincial dietetics regulatory body, for membership in the national association (Dietitians of Canada) and for positions as professional dietitians.

Students in the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition who wish to complete their studies toward the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Nutrition are advised to consult the Arts & Science Undergraduate Office to determine the precise requirements.

The Division, together with Saskatoon Health Region, Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region, Sun Country Health Region, Five Hills Health Region, Cypress Health Region, Sunrise Health Region, Heartland Health Region, Kelsey Trail Health Region, Prince Albert Parkland Health Region, Prairie North Health Region and Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region, sponsor the Saskatchewan Community Nutrition Residency. This program provides advanced training in community nutrition to dietitians or individuals seeking professional dietetics qualifications through the graduate degree route.

Students are required to complete FoodSafe Level I and II during their program. FoodSafe Level I is an eight hour, nationally recognized training program for food handlers, and is taken in the first year. FoodSafe Level II is an eleven hour program, designed for food service managers, and is taken in conjunction with NUTR 365. Students who already hold FoodSafe Level I or equivalent (e.g., National Sanitation Training Program Certificate) and Level II certificates are not required to repeat the programs, provided that they have been taken within the last three years, but must present the certificates for consideration and entry into the student record.

Students are required to complete an extramural course in public speaking during their program. A "Speechcraft" course (arranged through the Saskatoon Toastmasters Clubs) will be made available to students during their second year of the Nutrition program. A student who holds a valid certificate indicating training in public speaking may present the certificate and appropriate course information for consideration in lieu of Speechcraft, and entry into the student record.

To be included on the Dean's Honour Roll, students must have a Sessional Weighted Average of 80% or greater and must have completed a minimum of 30 credit units in the Regular Session.

Students whose Cumulative Weighted Averages are 1.25 or more standard deviations above the mean of the average of their class and who also obtain minimum Cumulative Weighted Averages of 80.00% or greater will receive the degree with Great Distinction. Students whose Cumulative Weighted Averages are between .50 and 1.25 standard deviations above the mean of the average for their class and who also obtain minimum Cumulative Weighted Averages of 75.00% or greater will receive the degree with Distinction. Students' averages are calculated from the grades obtained on all courses taken to complete degree requirements, including failures.

The Division of Nutrition and Dietetics was established in 1987. Prior to this, programs in nutrition and dietetics were offered through the College of Home Economics. A direct entry B.Sc.(Nutrition) program was offered from 1987-1998. For information on the program during this period, please see the respective Calendar issue. A revised B.Sc.(Nutrition) program was implemented in September, 1998.

Standards of Academic Performance

Candidates for the degree are required to obtain an Annual Weighted Average of 60%, and CR (Completed Requirements) for the professional practice courses, and have no more than two failures in the Fall and Winter terms, or the student will be Required to Discontinue the program in Nutrition. Students who do not meet the requirements in their graduating year will be considered on an individual basis. The Annual Weighted Average is based on courses taken during the Fall and Winter Terms (September-April) and the Spring and Summer Terms immediately prior to this. Credit units indicate the relative academic weight of each course and are used to calculate the weighted average. Records of part-time students will be evaluated at 18 credit-unit intervals. Application from students who have been Required to Discontinue more than once will not be approved except in extreme circumstances. Students may be Required to Withdraw from the program for reasons other than academic.

Students Required to Discontinue are permitted to apply for admission to another program or to Open Studies at this university or at any other accredited post-secondary institution for study during the year that the faculty action is in place (called the period of rustication), except when the faculty action is a matter of academic or non-academic discipline. Such applications are considered on a case by case basis by the program to which the student is applying.

Students who are Required to Discontinue and have served the period of rustication without taking any credit courses from this or any other accredited post-secondary institution will be readmitted to the program, on application, provided that there is space in the year to which they are applying to return. Students who are Required to Discontinue, but who have taken classes here or elsewhere during the period of rustication, will be readmitted, on application, provided that their average in the classes taken meets the promotion standard for the college and provided that there is space in the year to which they are applying to return. Students who take courses during the period of rustication and are readmitted will be given credit, according to college policies, for these courses toward their program.

A more complete description of academic requirements including promotion and failures is available in the Office of the Dean of Pharmacy & Nutrition.

Additional Regulations

Students wishing to graduate must complete the courses for the degree within a seven year period after first registration in the program. In exceptional circumstances permission may be granted to continue study beyond the seven year limit. Students must meet the degree requirements in place when the extension is granted.

The college will try to accommodate student requests for part-time studies/leaves from the program, however, this will depend on space being available in the professional practice courses.